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75 people were also disqualified for other offences connected to drink and drug driving, including failing without reasonable excuse to provide a specimen, and attempting to drive a motor vehicle whilst unfit through drink or drugs.

Samuel Nahk, senior public affairs officer for road safety charity Brake, said: "These figures are a clear illustration that drink and drug driving are still prevalent on our roads.

"Driving over the alcohol limit or under the influence of drugs is illegal and extremely dangerous behaviour with potentially devastating consequences.

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"Brake is calling for zero tolerance of drink and drug driving and demanding that the Government lowers the drink drive limit; prioritises the type-approval of roadside screening devices that can detect all banned drugs; and steps up roads policing levels to deter offending."

Superintendent Jane Banham of North Wales Police's Roads Policing Unit said: "Drink and drug driving remains a concern for us and is an issue which we take extremely seriously.

"Getting behind the wheel whilst under the influence can cause devastating consequences for individuals, families and friends and too many lives have already been lost due to the irresponsible actions of others.

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"Our officers work 24 hours a day, seven days a week and anyone who is considering driving whilst under the influence should know that we will be out and about waiting for them – please don’t think the rural nature of the region affords you protection because it doesn’t.

"We will continue to crack down on those who take this unnecessary risk and bring them before the courts."

Across Wales, just over 2,700 people were disqualified from driving for drink and drug offences between 2016 and 2017. A further 81 escaped with endorsements on their licence, with no disqualification.

North Wales Police said they take the problem "extremely seriously" (Image: PA)

At the end of 2017, the government set out plans to introduce life sentences for those who cause death by dangerous driving and for careless drivers who kill while under the influence of drink or drugs, an increase from the current maximum of 14 years.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: "Intoxicated drivers can ruin lives which is why we intend to give courts the power to hand down life sentences for death by dangerous driving - sending a clear message to those who drive irresponsibly."

The alcohol limit for drivers is 80 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, 35 microgrammes per 100 millilitres of breath or 107 milligrammes per 100 millilitres of urine.

There is a zero tolerance approach to eight illegal drugs, including cocaine, ketamine and cannabis.

Meanwhile, there is a road safety risk based approach to the eight legal drugs most associated with medical uses, including methadone, morphine or opiate and opioid-based drugs.